Martin roars to victory in San Marino sprint

Martin roars to victory in San Marino sprint
Jorge Martin is 26 points in front of Bagnaia ahead of the main event Grand Prix on Sunday. (AP)
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Updated 07 September 2024
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Martin roars to victory in San Marino sprint

Martin roars to victory in San Marino sprint
  • Martin has not won a GP since May but his consistency has helped him accumulate a decent advantage

MISANO ADRIATICO: Jorge Martin claimed a statement victory in Saturday’s sprint race at the San Marino and Rimini Riviera MotoGP, extending his overall lead over reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia with a stunning performance.

Pramac rider Martin is 26 points in front of pole-sitter Bagnaia ahead of the main event Grand Prix on Sunday after charging to an unexpected second sprint win of the season.

The Spaniard, who won at Misano Adriatico last year, started in fourth on the grid but got away like lightning and was ahead of Bagnaia by the first turn.

He comfortably held off Ducati’s Bagnaia for the rest of the 13-lap sprint and crossed the finish line 1.495 seconds in front of his Italian rival, improving his position at the top of the standings.

“Today I expected maybe to be fighting with Pecco (Bagnaia) but I didn’t expect to do that start,” said Martin.

“I even had a gap to keep for the last two laps so super happy. For tomorrow it’s another story but I feel confident that we are in a good way, super good and super fast.”

Martin has not won a GP since the French back in May but his consistency has helped him accumulate a decent advantage as he searches for his first MotoGP title. The 27-year-old had finished second in both the sprint and GP at four of the previous five events and his display on Saturday means he cannot be overtaken in the standings this weekend by Bagnaia, regardless of what happens in Sunday’s race.

It was a big blow for Bagnaia, who was favorite to cut the gap separating him from Martin after claiming pole position with a record-breaking fastest lap at the “Marco Simoncelli” circuit earlier on Saturday.

Two-time champion Bagnaia is riding with injuries to his shoulder, neck and collarbone after crashing out of last weekend’s Aragon MotoGP but looked in great form before Martin left him for dust.

“I’m absolutely not happy ... The start was a disaster, I lost first position and from that moment it was very difficult,” said Bagnaia.

“In any case, second position after what happened last week is OK. We will work to improve the start because it was a disaster and try to be in a better shape tomorrow.”

Bagnaia is at least helped by this weekend being the first of two in a row at the Misano, as the same circuit is being used later in September for the Emilia Romagna GP which replaces the canceled race in Kazakhstan.

Marc Marquez, a double winner at Alcaniz last weekend, had a harder time in Italy and lost ground on Martin, dropping to 77 points off the summit in third after finishing the sprint in sixth place.

Six-time champion Marquez battled up the rankings from his starting position of ninth on the grid, but has been caught on 234 points by Enea Bastianini.


Rugby and judo take center stage in latest Saudi Games action

Rugby and judo take center stage in latest Saudi Games action
Updated 5 sec ago
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Rugby and judo take center stage in latest Saudi Games action

Rugby and judo take center stage in latest Saudi Games action

RIYADH: The rugby competitions of the Saudi Games concluded on Friday at the Riyadh Club, with 82 players from six clubs participating.

The Saudi Warriors team secured first place and the gold medal, while Jeddah's team earned the silver, and the Riyadh Falcons took the bronze. The winners were presented with their medals by Ali Al-Dajani, chairman of the Saudi Rugby Federation.

In the judo competitions, both men’s and women’s winners were awarded their prizes by Abdulaziz Al-Bassam, president of the Saudi Judo Federation.

In the men’s -81 kg weight category, Abdullah Hammad from Al-Ula clinched gold, while his teammate Suleiman Hammad won silver. Bronze medals were awarded to Abdulilah Al-Bali (Al-Ula) and Mohammed Al-Harbi (Al-Ittihad).

In the +81 kg weight category, Mohammed Al-Hajri (Al-Qadisiyah) took home the gold, with Naif Mazyou (Al-Ula) earning silver. Rakan Zaidan (Al-Tai) and Rakan Al-Dosari (Al-Qadisiyah) secured bronze.

In the 66 kg category, Abdulaziz Al-Bishi (Al-Ula) claimed the top spot with gold, while Issa Majrashi (Al-Ula) took silver, and Abdullah Al-Faraidhi (Al-Shabab) along with Abdulmajeed Khurrd (Al-Bajadiyah) received bronze.

For the women’s 63 kg category, Ghada Al-Otaibi (Al-Qadisiyah) emerged victorious with the gold medal, while Karen Shamas (Al-Ula) took silver. Bronze medals were awarded to Sandance Al-Sharif (Al-Bajadiyah) and Raghad Al-Zahrani (Al-Qadisiyah).

There was also action in handball, volleyball, equestrian, weightlifting, golf, gymnastics, rock climbing and triathlon.


‘Sure bet’ Zubimendi can replace injured Rodri: Spain coach

‘Sure bet’ Zubimendi can replace injured Rodri: Spain coach
Updated 11 October 2024
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‘Sure bet’ Zubimendi can replace injured Rodri: Spain coach

‘Sure bet’ Zubimendi can replace injured Rodri: Spain coach
  • “If Rodri is the best player then Zubimendi is the second best in this position,” De la Fuente told a news conference
  • “He’s got experience under his belt, he oozes security through every pore of his skin”

MADRID: Spain coach Luis de la Fuente backed midfielder Martin Zubimendi on Friday to deputise for injured star Rodri Hernandez in the months ahead.
Manchester City’s Rodri, a key player for his country, suffered a severe knee injury in September and will be out for the rest of the season.
Rodri was vital in holding midfield as Spain clinched Euro 2024 victory this summer but Real Sociedad midfielder Zubimendi, 25, also made a big impact in the final.
Zubimendi replaced the injured Rodri at half-time against England in the Berlin final as La Roja triumphed 2-1 with two goals after the break.
“Zubimendi has been playing (brilliant) games for a long time, if Rodri is the best player then Zubimendi is the second best in this position,” De la Fuente told a news conference.
“He’s got experience under his belt, he oozes security through every pore of his skin.
“Martin doesn’t get nervous... he’s a very mature player, so calm... Zubi is a sure bet, who never fails.”
Nations League champions Spain, second in group A4, host leaders Denmark on Saturday in Murcia, before welcoming Serbia to Cordoba on Tuesday.
They are also without Real Madrid right-back Dani Carvajal, who is also set to miss the season with a knee injury, and explosive winger Nico Williams with a minor knock, among others.
“We’re not going to cry, we’re not going to make excuses about missing players, the ones who are here are very good too, also the best (players in the world) for me,” continued the coach.
“Whoever is playing tomorrow in the place of Nico, or Rodri, or Dani, are absolutely great... they will give us more tactical richness.
“We’re not going to change anything in terms of our plan or our idea of football... the idea is very clear.”
De la Fuente said injuries were the “ugliest” part of football, but they also created opportunities.
“Nobody is irreplacable... those who get the chance, albeit for unfortunate reasons, it’s the time to take advantage of it,” added De la Fuente.


Al-Ahli’s Ali Majrashi called up for Kingdom’s clash with Bahrain on Tuesday

Al-Ahli’s Ali Majrashi called up for Kingdom’s clash with Bahrain on Tuesday
Updated 11 October 2024
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Al-Ahli’s Ali Majrashi called up for Kingdom’s clash with Bahrain on Tuesday

Al-Ahli’s Ali Majrashi called up for Kingdom’s clash with Bahrain on Tuesday
  • Green Falcons resumed training on Friday evening at their camp

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s head coach Roberto Mancini has called up Al-Ahli’s defender Ali Majrashi for his side’s 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Bahrain on Tuesday.
After losing 2-0 to Japan in Jeddah on Thursday — their first defeat in the third round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup — the Green Falcons resumed training on Friday evening at their camp in preparation for the Bahrain clash.
The two Gulf national teams face each other at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.
It is believed that Mancini called up Majrashi as right-back Saud Abdulhamid will be unavailable due to suspension after receiving two yellow cards.
Mancini divided the players into two groups during training on Friday. The first group consisted of the players who had started the match against Japan, and they were assigned recovery exercises in the gym.
The second group included the rest of the players, who trained at the King Abdullah Sports City with warm-up exercises and passing practice. The players then went on to various tactical exercises and stretches.
The national team will continue their preparation program on Saturday with a closed training session at King Abdullah Sports City at 6 p.m.


Djokovic ‘overwhelmed’ after ‘greatest rival’ Nadal’s retirement

Djokovic ‘overwhelmed’ after ‘greatest rival’ Nadal’s retirement
Updated 11 October 2024
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Djokovic ‘overwhelmed’ after ‘greatest rival’ Nadal’s retirement

Djokovic ‘overwhelmed’ after ‘greatest rival’ Nadal’s retirement
  • He clashed 60 times with Djokovic, who edged their rivalry 31-29
  • “He remains the greatest rival that I ever had,” said Djokovic

SHANGHAI: Novak Djokovic said Friday he was “overwhelmed” by the news of Rafael Nadal’s retirement and called the Spaniard “the greatest rival that I ever had,” but said he has no plans to stop.
Nadal announced Thursday that he will step back from tennis after the Davis Cup finals in November, ending his 22 Grand Slam-winning career.
He clashed 60 times with Djokovic, who edged their rivalry 31-29.
“He remains the greatest rival that I ever had. He has impacted me a lot as a player, my development, he has inspired a lot of people around the world,” said Djokovic, speaking after he beat 19-year-old Jakub Mensik in three sets to progress to the Shanghai Masters semifinals.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion said that the news had come as a shock despite the Spaniard’s struggles with injury.
The 37-year-old Serb is now the last man standing from tennis’s golden era, with Roger Federer retiring in 2022, and Andy Murray calling it quits this year too.
“I’m playing, you know, still keep going... but part of me left with them, that’s for sure,” mused Djokovic.
“The era of the four musketeers, so to say, the four of us and all the rivalries we had was incredible,” he said.
“I’m a bit overwhelmed, to be honest, but, you know, I still have the desire to play.
“Fighting against a 19-year-old for two and a half hours on the court is something that still drives me... and I try to get the best out of myself.”


Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal undergoes surgery on his right knee

Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal undergoes surgery on his right knee
Updated 11 October 2024
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Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal undergoes surgery on his right knee

Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal undergoes surgery on his right knee
  • The Spanish club called the surgery successful
  • The player would start his recovery process in the coming days

MADRID: Spain defender Dani Carvajal has undergone surgery on his right knee, his club Real Madrid said Friday.
The Spanish club called the surgery successful and said the player would start his recovery process in the coming days.
Carvajal suffered his likely season-ending injury during a Spanish league game last weekend. He was diagnosed with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, a ruptured external collateral ligament and a ruptured popliteus tendon in his right leg.
Shortly after his injury, the club said it had agreed with the 32-year-old right back to extend his contract until June 2026.
Carvajal helped Spain win the European Championship in July.